Durham Fair bill signed into law

Published
12:00 am EDT, Sunday, May 30, 2010

HARTFORD - The Durham Fair bill was signed into law by Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Friday.

"I appreciate Governor Rell signing this bipartisan legislation into law quickly," said state Rep. Matt Lesser, who sponsored legislation earlier this year at the request of Durham Fair officials and the Town of Durham. "Now the Durham Fair may proceed, as it has for the past 93 years, without having to worry about complying with overly burdensome and impractical regulations."

Public Act No. 10-92 makes small but important changes to Connecticut's 40 year-old "mass gatherings" law, that will apply to about two dozen agricultural fairs, including the Durham Fair, beginning this year. Specifically, the new law:

* provides the Town of Durham with additional information to help ensure that health and safety at the fair are protected

* allows towns to waive the mandatory bond requirements ($4 per attendee, an estimated $1 million bond for the Durham Fair)

* changes the statutory requirement that one security guard be hired for every 750 attendees (an estimated 300 security guards per day for the Durham Fair) to a number arrived at in consultation with local police

The Durham Fair is the largest agricultural fair in Connecticut and the largest fair in North America without a paid manager or staff. It is owned and operated by the Durham Agricultural Fair Association, a private, not-for-profit organization. This year, the Durham Fair will be held Sept. 23, 24, 25 and 26. For more information, visit www.durhamfair.com.